Students
who have worked privately with Michael
Kim Mi Hoang
(pianist/composer)
I feel very fortunate to have Michael as my jazz piano teacher. I grew up only playing classical music through college, but was not able to deviate from the written music for the life of me. I felt stuck. But now at the 10-month mark with Michael, I've written a solo piano work and a new arrangement, and can improvise for hours at the piano (and even swing a bit, too). Michael has the language for both classical and jazz, and his depth of understanding is humbling. It's like taking a college level course yet tailored to your own needs. He can quickly and effectively diagnose the musical issue, whatever that may be. He is methodical yet creative in his teaching, he plays beautifully, and has exceptional sensitivity to the music — thus allowing me to learn how to be more attuned to the music. So, if you are serious about your dedication to music, he can teach you a lot (and more)!
Naomi Yu
(vocalist/pianist)
I took both piano and voice lessons with Michael for about a year-and-a-half. Michael is extremely talented and knowledgeable about so many facets of music. His teaching methods are unconventional, but really help develop many different areas of skills towards making and understanding music. I also greatly enjoyed the workshops he held with the other private students where we were able to share our progress and develop a small community.
Ana T.
(pianist/vocalist/composer)
I've been studying with Michael for about half a year now, but I've already felt a huge improvement not just in the way I'm playing, but in general the mindset I have when creating music. I reached out to Michael initially because I wanted help learning jazz piano and improv techniques after having studied classical piano for over 10 years. But Michael has overhauled my playing beyond just jazz basics, by helping me focus on the key areas I need to develop as a musician. He's helped me dive into everything from physical form when at the piano, to composition and confidence when writing my own songs, to exploring music history, and even to what bandleading could look like as I started participating in the local music scene. I feel very lucky to have found a music teacher with so much experience and thoughtfulness towards student learning and individual interests.
James Feng
(pianist/composer)
I am a beginner, and am currently taking piano and composition lessons with Michael. He is an excellent instructor and an experienced musician. As a result, knows what is most important to focus on when teaching piano. Of course, as a student, I started by learning about theory and keyboard technique, but Michael goes above and beyond this to teach you something even more valuable: what it means to be a musician — an artist. His unique, systematic approach to practicing has completely changed the way I look at skill acquisition, and I would even go as far to say that adopting Michael's approach to studying music has changed the way that I structure my life. I'm aware that this sounds ridiculously corny, but I know that studying piano with Michael has given me benefits beyond just learning proper piano form. To any beginner reading this review who is thinking about starting piano lessons — you can't go wrong with Michael. He knows his sh**, and he knows how to teach it.
Alex B.
(pianist)
I've been taking piano lessons with Michael after a 20-year hiatus from the instrument and the lessons are fun and friendly! His approach is unique, with carefully thought out pedagogy that really works. He is probably not the right teacher if you're just looking to learn a few tunes, but if you want to learn to play piano the right way, he is excellent at what he does.
His knowledge of music is broad and deep — across instruments, genres, cultures, and personalities, and he has no shortage of interesting stories and tidbits to share. He also runs periodic workshops for his students, which are a great way to build other skills.
The best part of studying with Michael is the way that you see your progress at the instrument accelerate. The early months are hard work, but it pays off as you start noticing how easily you improve from there. He also is committed to making your music integrate holistically and practically with your life, without unrealistic expectations about practice time. Finally, Michael's prices are reasonable and his policies and availability have been great for me.
Ann Blake
(vocalist/composer)
Thank you for being an incredible teacher with the most amazing array of skills and talents, who alsomanages to figure out what I need in any given moment. The journey with my vocal technique and improvisation, percussion, performing, theory, composition, along with music history has been wonderfully rich. It has been an honor and great pleasure to study with you for the last six years.
Paul Davis
(drummer/pianist)
I came to Michael with no piano experience, hoping to get a decent foundation before returning to study music in college. Over the course of 9 months, we covered theory, technique, improvisation, composition, arranging, and analysis — ultimately giving me not just piano skills, but the ability to think critically about music and a deeper understanding of myself as a musician. His piano method is thorough, and he is very knowledgable about many styles of music. I highly recommend Michael as both a piano and composition teacher.
Jerusha Simon
(vocalist/songwriter/pianist)
Having taken lessons throughout my life (including a vocal performance major in college), I can say with confidence that Michael is one of the best vocal teachers I've had the pleasure to work under. He is the only teacher whose approach has actually gotten me to practice on a regular basis and make me accountable!
Michael isn't just giving me singing lessons — we're working on theory, composition, piano, and even percussion — as well as developing my bandleading skills. (I know his skills here are sound because they come directly from his own professional experience). He has been compassionate every step of my way and guided me through the moments of fear and frustration with absolute kindness and support, and best of all, no bullsh**.
People look at me like I'm crazy when I tell them I drive one hour each way for just for my lessons, but let me tell you, Michael is well worth it!
Eric Rodriguez
(keyboardist/composer)
I am now super excited about my musical journey! You have helped me more than you probably know . . . My composing is not only what I enjoy, but what I need in my life. I also realize that I've been stuck for quite a while with a fractured approach that has become a series of mannerisms. Thanks for pushing me along — you are awesome!
Kathy Lautz
(vocalist/pianist)
I had no idea that working with my rhythm as a vocalist would reveal such important physical issues. Like my poor 'computer wrist' that was sore and barking every time I sat down at the piano. The sequence of stretches and exercises you had me do were almost magical in their effect. (Loved the warm/cool water arm soaks, too, much more gentle than just plain ice). When we moved to playing percussion, the vibration of the drumsticks just woke up the sensation in my hands and arms so when I sat back down at the piano, voila, no more involuntarily curling up right index finger! I could press the keys down normally, first time in a long long time. I'm totally convinced. Thanks very much, again.
Mark Baum
(vocalist/composer)
It's hard to know where to begin when trying to describe Michael's musicianship — he does so many things, and does them all so well. In every area of his music, he has golden ears and precise attention to detail. I'm studying vocal improvisation with him and loving it! I admire his confidence as a teacher in combination with personal humility and willingness to listen. I see him as setting a course for me as his student with clear vision of where I could go, but attentiveness and flexibility as I give feedback about how the journey is going, and what's working for me and what's not. This guy is the real deal: an artist, a master craftsman, and a spiritually disciplined, thoughful listener — someone well worth getting to know.
Beverly J. Howard
(pianist/composer)
In a very short time I learned how to sitmuch more efficiently at the piano, and got clear that I can compose music right now and not wait for my piano technique to catch up. Thank you for providing such nurturing and insightful piano lessons! Your studio was a creative oasis for me.
Isaac Ho
(pianist)
I have studied classical music for 15 years and jazz for 4, and Michael is one of the most observant teachers I have worked with. His experience in dealing with countless students of various levels really comes to the fore, as he can quickly diagnose problems that would have taken me weeks to figure out with another teacher. It is rare to find a high-level jazz performer who devotes significant effort to the separate arts of both teaching and playing. All in all, he's an excellent teacher in a field (jazz piano) where great teachers are hard to come by!
Sonya Brewer
(vocalist/songwriter)
Sad but true. After eight years of voice lessons I felt less confidence than when I started. But my work with Michael was transformative! I remembered one particular piece of coaching he gave, it completely changed the quality of sound in my voice. I had never heard myself sound so good!
David Babich
(clarinetist/vocalist/composer/arranger)
Smolens is highly knowledgeable not only of jazz and various pop styles, but the music of many cultures, both instrumentally and vocally. This, combined with his gifts of organization, focus, and patience, make him an exceptional teacher.
Rae Anderson
(vocalist/pianist)
Today I am singing with a jazz a capella group where I continue to apply what I have learned from Michael. He provided me with tools and techniques that I can always use, especially when I need to break down chords and difficult rhythms, or face an array of other musical challenges. Michael Smolens IS music. I can't recommend him enough!
Daniel Tucker
(pianist/vocalist/composer/arranger)
Michael's ability to play drums and vocalize a bass part greatly enhances my piano lessons. After being taught a new chord progression, way of improvising, or comping pattern, I can instantly try it out as part of a 'trio'. And somehow while juggling the drums at his hands and the bass in his mouth, Michael still has ears open to hear and respond to what I'm playing. It adds up to much quicker assimilation of new concepts and technique for me, and is fun for both of us!
Dave Florey
(pianist)
I always felt like I had learned something new with each lesson and was capable of learning even more — he really nurtured the Spirit of the Student in me!